Stewards Report

HARNESS RACING VICTORIA

STEWARDS REPORT FOR KILMORE      

THURSDAY 11 DECEMBER 2025

	Elliot Turner (Chairman) Scott Gillespie Desmond Benger David Young (Starter) Dr Nicholas Branson (Veterinarian)
	Track:    Good	Weather:	Fine

 

Trainers with multiple horses engaged in any given race were questioned as to the intended driving tactics to be adopted.

 

RACE 1 – ARCADIA GROUP PACE (1690 MS)

FEEL THE BUZZ – Examined pre and post-race by the veterinarian in accordance with HRV’s animal welfare policy due to the gelding being 13 years of age and having competed in excess of 200 starts. No abnormalities were detected on either examination. Unbale to secure clear running inside the final 200 metres.

AVERIO – Post-race swab sample.

REGAL ROCK NZ – Stewards refrained from pursuing action against driver G Bull in relation to recording the second quarter of the event in 32.3 seconds, after taking into account the faster than average first quarter for the grade (27.4 seconds) and the prevailing head wind the field encountered when progressing down the home straight on the first occasion.

HIGHVIEW HAMMER – Held up for clear running during the latter stages of the run to the finish.

ROCKNROLL ROCKET – Pre-race blood sample.

ALTIUS – Slow to score up and consequently was out of position at the start. ALTIUS will continue to be excluded from the mobile barrier draw. Gave ground over the concluding stages to be beaten some distance.

 

RACE 2 – OKRFM VICBRED VOUCHER TROT (1690 MS)  

MONTANA CHEVELLE – Broke gait clear of interference approaching the 200 metres causing FRITSCH to be checked and broke gait.

COURAGES LAW – Trainer B Angove was issued a formal caution for failing to declare George Chamouras as the driver by the prescribed time. Broke gait shortly after the start. COURAGES LAW will now be excluded from the mobile barrier draw.

THE DARK THUNDER – Broke gait shortly after the start. THE DARK THUNDER will now be excluded from the mobile barrier draw.

FLOATING MOUNTAIN – Stewards refrained from pursuing action against driver M Whittle in relation to recording the second quarter of the event in 33.6 seconds, after taking into account the faster than average first quarter for the grade (28.7 seconds) and the prevailing head wind the field encountered when progressing down the home straight on the first occasion.

FRITSCH – Checked and broke gait approaching the 200 metres when MONTANA CHEVELLE broke gait.

WATTS UP RAPTOR – Checked shortly after the start when ABBIE broke gait. Broke gait clear of interference leaving the 300 metres.

ABBIE – Broke gait shortly after the start causing WATTS UP RAPTOR and AMOUR MATERNAL to be checked whilst CONSTANT was hampered as a result. ABBIE will now be excluded from the mobile barrier draw.

KITTY CASH – Broke gait into a pace during the early stages of the score up and lost considerable ground whilst returning to its correct gait, resulting in the filly being out of position at the start. KITTY CASH will now be excluded from the mobile barrier draw.

AMOUR MATERNAL – Checked shortly after the start when ABBIE broke gait.

CONSTANT – Hampered shortly after the start when ABBIE broke gait.

 

RACE 3 – LA DIMORA RETIREMENT RESORT CONCESSIONS DRIVERS PACE (2180 MS)

LITTLEBLABBAMOUTH – Checked passing the 200 metres when FEEL THE REIGN shifted out and was carried wider into the running of PISTOL QUEEN which was placed in restricted room and had to be checked.

TASMA FLASH – Checked passing the 200 metres when PISTOL QUEEN was checked and carried wider by LITTLEBLABBAMOUTH which was placed in restricted room and taken wider on the track when FEEL THE REIGN shifted out.

PISTOL QUEEN – Placed in restricted room, had to be checked and was taken wider passing the 200 metres onto TASMA FLASH which was checked, as a result of LITLLEBLABBAMOUTH being checked at that point when FEEL THE REIGN shifted out.

FAKE CULLECTION – Over-raced throughout the early and middle stages. When questioned, driver H Parish explained that after the mare established the lead shortly after the start her runner commenced to over-race at which point she attempted to restrain the mare in an effort to aid the mare settling however proved reluctant to her driving and took charge whilst racing down the back straight on the first occasion and as a result progressed forward and raced in advance from the remainder of the field at that point. She added that, during the second quarter the mare somewhat improved its racing manners which afforded the mare some respite through that section however again upon entering the back straight on the final occasion her runner again became agitated and over-raced at that point which increased the tempo earlier than she would have preferred. She said that, due to the mare’s racing manners throughout her runner expended more energy than necessary through the early and middle stages which left the mare without a finishing effort over the concluding stages. After consideration, a warning was issued against the record of FAKE CULLECTION for its tractability.

FEEL THE REIGN – Examined pre and post-race by the veterinarian in accordance with HRV’s animal welfare policy due to the rig having competed in excess of 200 starts. No abnormalities were detected on either examination. Driver R Pace pleaded guilty to a charge under AHRR 163(1)(a)(iii) for causing interference in that, at a point passing the 200 metres he failed to make sufficient effort to prevent his runner shifting wider on the track when not clear of LITTLEBLABBAMOUTH which was placed in restricted room, had to be checked and as consequence was carried wider on the track resulting in PISTOL QUEEN and TASMA FLASH being placed in restricted room and having to be checked. When assessing penalty consideration was given to, Mr Pace’s guilty plea, driving record in relation to the rule which displayed that this first offence and the degree of interference. Accordingly, R Pace had his license to drive in races suspended for a period of 7 days to commence midnight 11/12/25.

BERYLS BOOTS – Hampered passing the 200 metres when racing to the outside of TASMA FLASH which was checked.

 

RACE 4 – O'BRIENS ELECTRICAL PACE (1690 MS)

OUR ANGELS ENVY – Pre-race blood sample. Driver A Ashwood was fined the sum of $100 under AHRR 162(1)(i) for failing to have the filly in position by the nominated marker prior to the start.

BLAZIN BY – Post-race swab sample.

CATIES SON – Trainer W Potter was issued a formal caution for failing to declare the intended driving tactics with the stable runners in the event.

PERCESSION – Examined pre and post-race by the veterinarian in accordance with HRV’s animal welfare policy due to the gelding having not competed in the preceding 12 months. No abnormalities were detected on either examination.

ROCKNLENA – Hung in whilst under pressure inside the final 150 metres.

 

RACE 5 – PICKLEBET 'GET YOUR PICKLE ON' TROT (2ND HEAT) (2180 MS)

PARLEZVOUS PARTY – Broke gait clear of interference passing the 400 metres. In view of the gelding’s poor recent record, PARLEZVOUS PARTY was stood down to one re-qualifying trial.

PIESRIDINGSHOTGUN – Post-race swab sample.  

PLEASE LAYLA – Pre-race blood sample. Broke gait clear of interference approaching the first turn.

ILLUMINANCE – Underwent a pre-race veterinary examination and was passed fit to start. Out of position at the start, then broke gait as the start was effected. ILLUMINANCE will continue to be excluded from the mobile barrier draw.

SABIHALIL – Fractious before the start when the field commenced the pre-race circling formation and reared with the mare requiring assistance from the clerk of the course, then was out of position at the start despite the efforts of its driver. SABIHALIL will continue to be excluded from the mobile barrier draw.

 

RACE 6 – MC LABOUR 4YO & OLDER MAIDEN TROT (2180 MS)

BALLINGUS – Weakened inside the final 450 metres to be beaten 71.9 metres. A warning was issued.

ALDEBARAN SARIAH – Over-raced throughout the middle stages.

IMABOGANBOY – Held up for clear running during the early stages of the run to the finish.

APACHEVALLEY – Over-raced noticeably throughout the early and middle stages. Driver J Leedham reported post-race that despite continual attempts to settle the gelding his runner proved extremely intractable and as a result of over-racing gave ground over the concluding stages. A post-race veterinary examination failed to reveal any abnormalities. After consideration, APACHEVALLEY was placed on its last chance to race truly.

BET BET HOTSHOT – Driver A Sanderson was issued a formal caution for allowing the gelding to shift inside the final marker peg prior to utilising the sprint lane.

 

RACE 7 – C&M BUILD GROUP PACE (2180 MS)

WAZOWSKI – When questioned in relation to the driving tactics employed, principally regarding the early stages of the event and his decision to challenge for the lead whilst racing down back straight on the first occasion, trainer/driver A Ashwood explained that after beginning fairly from the start the filly was crossed in the early stages by INTERPRETATION and RAKAROMPA NZ which both obtained marker peg positions approaching the first turn which left his runner racing in an unfavourable position outside of the leader. He said that, when rounding the first turn RAKAROMPA NZ which had established the lead, slackened the tempo in the event to which he believed that the lead may have been available and as such he elected to urge his runner to improve forward at that point in an endeavour to ascertain whether his runner would be able to cross forward to the lead and in turn would result in the filly covering less ground. He said that, after placing his runner under pressure the filly built momentum quickly and improved to the immediate outside of RAKAROMPA NZ near the 1600 metres at which point the driver of that runner indicated the position would be unavailable, to which he stated that given the speed that the filly had amassed he was still confident that his runner would be able to muster the required speed in order to cross forward to the lead. He added that, however as the field progressed into the turn out of the back straight on the first occasion it became apparent that the filly would be unable to obtain the lead at which point he elected to yield in his challenge, however when restraining his runner the filly was hesitant to being eased at that point and whilst maintaining restraint to between the 1200 metres and the 1000 metres his runner became fierce and proved difficult to settle through that section despite his efforts, then when RAKAROMPA NZ eased at that point the filly raced slightly in advance of that runner for some distance. He said that, leaving the 700 metres the tempo in the event increased as evidenced by the (27.8 second) third quarter to which the filly responded well whilst under driving and continued to work to the finish competitively and was pleased with the overall performance of his runner given the circumstances of racing outside of the leader throughout. After consideration, Stewards did not feel Mr Ashwood’s tactics were entirely unreasonable in the circumstances and therefore took the matter no further.

INTERPRETATION – Gave ground over the concluding stages to be beaten some distance.

RAKAROMPA NZ – When questioned in relation to the driving tactics employed, principally during the early stages of the event whilst engaging in a challenge for the lead down the back straight on the first occasion, trainer/driver D Pace explained that it was the pre-race intention of connections to drive the filly positively tonight and ideally obtain the lead throughout with the filly displaying its best prior form when able to dictate the tempo in an event and all its previous wins had been when leading throughout. He said that his runner begun well shortly after the start and crossed the field comfortably to establish the lead prior to entering the first turn, at which point he slightly eased his runner in an endeavour to dictate a suitable tempo for the filly. He added that, shortly thereafter WAZOWSKI commenced to improve forward to challenge for the lead at which point he was mindful of the filly’s previous tractability issues citing that his runner fails to travel genuinely when trailing other runners and races fiercely to which he placed his runner under pressure in order to maintain the lead as he felt that had he surrendered the lead to WAZOWSKI his runner would fail to appreciate trailing that runner. He added that, once his runner had withstood the challenge for the lead he was confident that WAZOWSKI would restrain to a position to afford the filly to some respite given the pressure applied to both runners in the early stages, however when racing down the home straight on the first occasion that runner continued to apply pressure to the filly to which he stated that given the work the filly endured in the early stages his runner failed to handle another horse racing in close proximity and as a result he was unable to ease the tempo to a degree to afford the filly a reprieve through the middle stages. He added that, near the 700 metres he once again was obliged to place the filly under pressure in order to maintain its advantage to which his runner responded well initially however upon straightening for the run to the finish his runner failed to run on over the concluding stages, and he believed that the work that the filly sustained through the first half of the last mile tolled on his runner, however was still believed that the performance had merit given the circumstances. After consideration, Stewards did not feel the tactics adopted by Mr Pace were entirely unreasonable in the circumstances and therefore took the matter no further.

PLATINUM JIVE NZ – Post-race swab sample.

GRIMSHAW BAY – Weakened noticeably inside the final 1000 metres to be beaten 191.3 metres. When questioned regarding the performance, driver M Burnett could offer no explanation other than given the filly was first-up tonight her runner failed to handle the genuine tempo throughout and raced ungenerously as a result. A post-race veterinary examination failed to reveal any abnormalities. After consideration, GRIMSHAW BAY was stood down to one re-qualifying trial.

 

RACE 8 – COULTER LEGAL 4YO & OLDER MAIDEN PACE (1690 MS)

SWEET FACE – Hung out throughout the score up and could not be driven into position at the start. SWEET FACE was placed on its last chance in the mobile barrier draw. Hung out at various stages of the event.

CROCODILE BLOOD – Broke gait during the early stages of the score up and consequently was out of position at the start. CROCODILE BLOOD will now be excluded from the mobile barrier draw.

ONE LAST BELLE – Pre-race blood sample.

 

 

Elliot Turner

Chair

 

‘This report and the Stewards Comments for this meeting may be amended at the sole discretion of the Harness Racing Victoria (HRV) Stewards as races are reviewed as per the ‘HRV Stewards Internal Review Process’.

 

 

Raceday Summary

Swabs	PRE-RACE: Race 1 – ROCKNROLL ROCKET Race 4 – OUR ANGELS ENVY Race 5 – PLEASE LAYLA Race 8 – ONE LAST BELLE POST-RACE: Race 1 – AVERIO Race 4 – BLAZIN BY Race 5 – PIESRIDINGSHOTGUN Race 7 – PLATINUM JIVE NZ
Suspensions	Race 3 – R Pace – Rule 163(1)(a)(iii) – 7 Days
Fines	Race 4 – A Ashwood – Rule 162(1)(i) - $100
Cautions	Race 2 – B Angove – T/CLDC Race 4 – W Potter – T/CT Race 6 – A Sanderson – D/CCMP
Horse actions	Race 1 – ALTIUS – CODM Race 2 – COURAGES LAW – ODM Race 2 – THE DARK THUNDER – ODM Race 2 – ABBIE – ODM Race 2 – KITTY CASH – ODM Race 5 – PARLEZVOUS PARTY – 1 Trial Race 5 – ILLUMINANCE – CODM Race 5 – SABIHALIL – CODM Race 7 – GRIMSHAW BAY – 1 Trial   Race 8 – CROCODILE BLOOD – ODM
Follow ups	Nil
Adjourned inquires	Nil
Sulky fund claims	Nil
Medical stand downs	Nil